Ivanov wins first gold for Russia; Irfan disappoints

India’s K T Irfan raised hopes of a good finish but was disqualified before the final five kilometres in the men’s 20km walk at the World Championships on Sunday.

Irfan, one of the three Indians in the event, seemed determined to better his 10th place finish at the London Olympics last year.

He was close to the leaders all along and was in sixth place when the third warning came, along with the dreaded red card. The other two Indians, Gurmeet Singh finished 33rd in 1:26:47 and Chandan Singh 34th in 1:26:51 failing to come anywhere close to their bests for the season.

Gurmeet had a 1:21:38 this season while Chandan had a best of 1:23:36, both at the Asian Race Walking championships at Nomi City, Japan, in March. Alexander Ivanov won the gold medal, Russia’s first here, with a strong show. The former world junior champion timed a career-best of one hour 20 minutes and 58 seconds, rebuffing his challengers who couldn’t counter either his speed or the hot weather conditions.

China’s Olympic champion Chen Ding claimed the silver in 1:21:09 while Miguel Angel Lopez of Spain won the bronze in 1:21:21. Ivanov took the lead past the 15km mark from Chen with Guatemala’s Olympic silver medallist Erick Barrondo in third place.

Barrondo then chased down the Russian and was even in the lead for a brief while but he was placed on two yellow cards. Inevitably, with two kilometres left to the finish, Barrondo received his third warning, and the dejected Guatemala walker had to step aside shaking his head. It was his third disqualification this year. Ivanov, not losing his focus, kept going at a steady pace and entered the stadium to a rapturous reception. Chen followed a few metres behind, delight and relief writ large on his face.

Results: Men: 20km walk: Aleksander Ivanov (Russia) 1:20:58, 1; Chen Ding (China) 1:21:09; Miguel Angel Lopez (Spain) 1:21:21.